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Training boost for RNLI volunteer

A new volunteer crew member at Fishguard RNLI lifeboat station has had a vital part of their crew training funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF).

Andrew Antonen from Goodwick recently travelled to the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, to complete the charity’s Trainee Crew Course.

A key part of that course is the sea survival element, which enables new volunteer crew to be trained in a variety of crucial subjects including how to ‘abandon ship’ with a 4m jump into water; team survival swimming and coping in a liferaft in simulated darkness; how to deal with fires aboard lifeboats; how to right a capsized inshore lifeboat; and the importance of lifejackets.

Training took place in the Sea Survival Centre at the RNLI College in Poole, which includes a wave tank and a fire-fighting simulator, allowing trainees to experience first-hand some of the scenarios they may encounter at sea as lifeboat crew.

The training was funded by the LRF, an independent charity that funds work to enhance the safety of life and property at sea, on land and in the air. It is funding the Sea Survival element of the Trainee Crew Course for a five year period from January 2011 to December 2015. This additional funding of nearly £1 million brings their total support to just over £1.5 million.

Talking about the training, Andrew, who joined in December 2013 as a volunteer crew member said: ‘The five day course was really informative and one of the best courses I’ve been on. There were 21 people from all around the UK on the course and it was good to share this experience with other volunteers.’

David Williams, Fishguard Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘The support given by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation is hugely important to the RNLI. We are extremely grateful that it has chosen to fund sea survival training, which teaches vital core skills to our volunteer crew.’

‘This training is central to allowing the RNLI and its volunteers to stay safe while on rescue missions. It equips volunteers with essential sea survival skills; providing them with the courage, poise and self-confidence to save lives even in the most perilous seas.’

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